You(Tube), me, and the Deuteronomistic History
If you read the title of this post just right, you can make it rhyme … but that has nothing to do with my main point.
For this academic year, I set myself the goal of using classroom time for more active learning experiences—which requires me to lecture less in class. To that end, I’ve starting offloading some lecture material into short videos; I also intend to transform some homework materials from reading into viewing/listening experiences. Some of these videos can only be viewed by Pepperdine students right now (due to copyright issues) in iTunesU, but my goal is to make all of these micro-lectures public through iTunesU and, for those who don’t use iTunes, YouTube. Due to the sequencing of material this semester, my first two publicly-available micro-lectures are:
I will gladly receive any and all constructive criticism and suggestions—I’m keeping the videos short precisely to keep them modular and easy to update. However, please note my goal of keeping the videos close to five minutes each, so a good bit of oversimplification is inevitable.
(Oh, and if you like the videos, please take time for a quick star rating.)
17 comments Christopher Heard | Bible (specific texts), online resources, teaching and learning
Thank you kindly for these posts. Secular Biblical Studies is very helpful.
FYI, Sabio, I’m personally a Christian believer—but if my explanations of biblical phenomena (like the composition of biblical books, etc.) can’t be shared by a nonbeliever, there’s a good chance I’m engaged in special pleading.
Chris, I’m curious about the change in objects just over your left shoulder between the two videos?
Also, I have had very little exposure to the DH, so the first thing that came to my mind when you explained it was a piece of the puzzle that doesn’t quite seem to fit–2 Kings 14:23-25. Here, you have a bad king but YHWH expands (restores) the boarders of Israel. Have I misunderstood something? Assuming I am understanding you and the text correctly, how does this text fit in to the DH?
Joseph, the “anomalous” cases are always quite interesting to bounce off against the hypothesis. In the case of Israel, one must distinguish between two “paradigms” for evil kings: Ahab and Jeroboam I. Jeroboam II is “evil” in the same way Jeroboam I is “evil”: he worships YHWH outside of Jerusalem, in a way that departs from Judean standards. This is anathema to the Deuteronomistic Historian, but not quite as bad as worshiping other deities like Ahab does. Also, it’s interesting that the narrator makes an explicit excuse for Jeroboam II’s prosperity, in 2 Kings 14:26-27.
The other big huge anomaly is Manasseh, though here too the narrator gives a kind of “apology” for it by blaming Manasseh for the ultimate downfall of Judah. The consequences of Manasseh’s evil aren’t canceled, just delayed, in Dtr’s view.
I think it’s very interesting to watch Dtr struggle with facts that run contrary to his hypothesis.
As for the objects over my left shoulder: I was experimenting with different objects, so I switched them out.
Terrific presentation! You make it look & sound so easy! Thank you so much for sharing this info with us! (And of course I gave you Awesome stars for each.)
Speaking of things on the shelf, I’m curious about the yellowish textbook with dark blue horizontal line on its spine just to the left of your right ear. At first I thought it was Beyerlin’s “Near Eastern Religious Texts” of the “Old Testament Library” series, but after checking my copy, I can see that yours is a different title.
G.M., I’m now at home instead of in the office, so I’m not 100% sure … but I think the book in question is Soggin’s Introduction to the Old Testament in the Old Testament Library series.
Chris:
So are these what I should mirror my SBL micro-lecture after?
Good stuff, btw.
@ Christopher
Well, believer or not, I love the methodology of yours that I have seen so far — and you are a good lecturer. I shall stay tuned and keep learning, I am sure.
Have you posted anywhere your general views toward scripture and their significance in your Christian faith?
You are obviously in the errant school of thought. I’d be curious to explore your other theological stances — there are a lot out there ! (smile)
BTW, on your comment form, I don’t see anywhere to check “follow by e-mail”. Could you activate that? It would make it easier than having to come back to visit without seeing changes.
Thank you kindly.
Sabio, I don’t actually know how to make the comments followable by e-mail, but I will certainly try to learn how to do that!
Great videos! You have a real gift for making this stuff compelling. I have been using your podcast as a primer for my Masters studies that begin in the spring. Thanks for taking the time to put this information out.
No answer, Chris? C’mon, buddy!
Um, yeah? Sorry, what’s the question? If you should be like me? Absolutely! :-)
Humility at its best!
Christopher, I found the videos very easy to watch and listen. The only suggestion I’d offer would be on the audio. It seems like I could hear someone else talking in the background, or it was just an echo.
Looking forward to more…I can’t afford the tuition :-)
Jordan, the background noise is one of my great frustrations. The only place I really have to record the videos is my office, and the walls are paper-thin. If I record anything during normal school hours, I get some background noise from the classroom next door. I have complained about it repeatedly but have not gotten any satisfaction.
Is the title of this post a play on the song “You, me and World War III” ?
Good catch, Daishi!